A Russellville circuit judge had a vision to create a gardening program to help juvenile offenders see how real work with extraordinary mentors can be rewarding.

The “Garden of Hope” was established in January 2012 to help at-risk youth who have run into trouble with the law at an early age. The program was a vision come true for Fifth Judicial Circuit Judge Ken Coker Jr. He and others have pooled resources from youth activists, including people from academics, business and law enforcement, who believe hope is the key to youth rehabilitation.

“We are excited about having this for the kids,” Coker said. “This is a team effort. Gardening is a healthy hobby, and it gets the kids away from TV and computer screens.”

Phil Sims, Pope County Cooperative Extension Service agent and staff chair, has helped coordinate other entities associated with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, including Pope County Master Gardeners and 4-H members who volunteer to mentor the youth, according to Coker.

“The Master Gardeners are excellent role models,” he said. “We want these children to be good citizens.”

Sims teaches classes which inform these at-risk youth about the importance of gardening and the science behind it.

“We teach the kids about soil preparation, plant thinning, spacing and weed control,” he said.”We teach the kids to understand the importance of beneficial insects and pests that are harmful to the plants.

“We also teach the kids about different types of vegetable plants and the best environment for growing them.”

One probation officer took on the primary task of getting the program up and running, according to Coker. Juvenile Probation officer Jaime Davis was prepared to handle the task.

“We appreciate Jaime,” Coker said. “She has taken this project under her wing.”

Davis has devoted a great deal of time to making sure the program meets its goals.

“Master Gardener Frank Russenberger, and others, help the kids by volunteering as mentors. We have four master gardeners who assist with showing the kids what to do during each phase of growing vegetables.”

There are a lot of plants for them to learn about, according to Russenberger. The project includes several planted and growing beds which have a variety of vegetables.

“The kids have really taken to the program,” he said. “We have tomatoes, greenvbeans, squash and zucchini plants and purple hull peas.

“Some of the kids have potted some of the plants and took them home to start their own gardens there. This was their own initiative, we did not require it.”

The garden project is an option for some of the juvenile offenders, according to Davis. For some it’s mandatory.

“These kids are volunteering; there not made to do this,” she said. “But, some are required by Judge Coker to participate. Several kids have taken leadership roles. One young person has taken charge of making the other youth behave responsibly.”

One of the Master Gardeners has started a movement toward ensuring literacy among at-risk youths. Roseann Kennedy has arranged to provide special tutoring sessions to improve literacy among the youths, according to Davis.

“We will take them on an outing to see the greenhouses at the high school,” Davis said. “And, later, we plan on taking them to the Farmer’s Market.”

Sims and the other mentors will use the vegetables harvested from the garden to show the kids how to cook.

“The idea is to bring some vegetables from their garden into the kitchen and have a cooking demonstration,” he said. “We intend to teach them the nutritional value of the food.” Many local businesses have donated to their cause, according to Davis. The kids have ideas about who to donate food to as well.

“Lowes, Atwood’s, Ride-Out, Hodges Wrecker Service, Tractor Supply and Peters Family Living have all donated to the program,” she said. The property owner donated the land area and Community Service, Inc. and Counseling Associated have donated gloves and transportation as well.”

Those interested in the program or how to help with it can go to www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-of-Hope/396060517171710 and find out more about the program.